World’s biggest beer festival Oktoberfest opens in Munich. See pics

The drinking has begun as wet weather and enhanced security did not dampen the spirits of beer enthusiasts at the 184th Oktoberfest which opened in Munich on September 16. Six million people from all over the world are expected to visit the world’s largest beer festival, which runs until October 3.

Visitors reach for the first mugs of beer during the opening day of the 184th Oktoberfest. (Michael Dalder/REUTERS)

This year, visitors will be able to download an app that shows nearby tents with available space. It will also help festival goers find lost friends — which will be useful as the largest tent fits 10,000 people.

Visitors on the opening day of the Oktoberfest. The festival kicks off with the mayor tapping the first keg at noon. (Guenter Schiffmann/AFP)

Drinkers will face higher beer prices — a litre of beer will cost up to 10.95 euros ($13 or Rs 833 approx), 25 cents higher than last year, when 6.6 million litres of beer were guzzled over the two weeks.

Visitors gather in a tent during the opening day of the 184th Oktoberfest. (Michaela Rehle/REUTERS)

Oktoberfest is hoping more people will come to the festival this year after attendance in 2016 dipped in part due to concern over terror attacks.

Security has since been bolstered at the festival, with backpacks as well as large bags now being banned.

Traditional gingerbread hearts are displayed for sale during the opening day of the 184th Oktoberfest. (Michaela Rehle/REUTERS)

The entrances will be watched over by more than 650 security guards, up by 200 from last year, CCTV cameras have been added and a new loudspeaker system can now be used to alert visitors in three languages: German, English and Bavarian.

Visitor wait in the rain outside the Oktoberfest area on the opening day. (Michaela Rehle/REUTERS)

Germany was rocked by a number of attacks last summer. In Munich, an 18-year-old shot nine people dead at a shopping mall before turning the gun on himself.

Visitors ride a swing ride. (Michael Dalder/REUTERS)

In the southern region of Bavaria, where Munich is located, two other attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group: a failed Syrian asylum seeker blew himself up at a music festival, wounding 15, and a 17-year-old Afghan refugee injured five in an axe attack.

People celebrate at the opening day. (Matthias Schrader/AP)

On December 19, 2016, the country was traumatised when a man hijacked a truck and ploughed into shoppers at a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people.